Slutsky has come under pressure of late after their latest defeat – a 3-2 loss against Bristol City – spelt the club’s sixth straight game without a win in the Championship.

The Tigers were 2-0 up in the game against the Robins are the KCOM Stadium but three sloppy late goals cost City all three points, bringing the head coach’s position further into question

However, Irvine was keen to divert the blame away from the Russian ahead of their trip to Sheffield Wednesday, stating the City’s shortcomings have come down to player mentality rather than tactical errors.

“We’re just fully focused on trying to put it right, that’s the nature of this league, the games don’t stop and obviously it was extremely disappointing and frustrating to concede late on again,” the Australian international said.

Jackson Irvine came off the bench to help Hull City record a 1-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday (Image: Focus)

14:47

Here's the full transcript of what Slutsky said today

Hull City head coach Leonid Slutsky. (Image: Focus Images)

13:51

Toral set to give Slutsky a timely boost

Jon Toral of Hull City goes off injured at the KCOM Stadium

13:02

Here's a snippet of Slutsky

11:48

That's it from the Russian

He has spoken honestly and openly today regarding his future. He needs a win this week or this could be the last time we see him in the press room at City’s training ground.

11:45

'This is my maximum but maybe that is't good enough'

I spoke with my assistant, my family, my friends and now I think we really have a chance to change situation. If I didn’t feel I stop, but maybe we need one or two chances more.

It is difficult to think about long term because each match can change situation with my job. It is a global problem for me is the level of the Championship, you can’t be unready to play here, without players and to start this league without a squad it is a serious problem for us. I talked a lot of times, I am very thankful for each supporter here, everybody liked me but now I can understand how they change opinion. It is a normal situation.

I have a serious evaluation of my level and I thought I was ready for everything and I can change the situation, because everywhere I was successful and this is maybe my mistake. I couldn’t understand the level of the Championship. This is my maximum but maybe that was not enough.

11:39

'I was close to resigning last week'

Jon Toral is back in the group, he trained this week and Michael Dawson comes back after a stomach problem.

To be honest I was close to saying stop because if Shakespeare had wanted to direct a scenario this serious drama this was the best.

But this is not book, this is life and a coach must be ready for this situation. I try to change myself and find a new power to continue to work but each hit might be final.

I don’t know if next Saturday will be my last game, it is difficult to predict feelings. But we can’t forget about owner, he could also make a decision.

I don’t have a problem with the team because everybody try to help me and you are taking about diligence, desire we don’t have a problem, it is concentration. We are not robots we are players and we have young players.

11:35

Slutsky on the World Cup

If you really want to watch the best tournament in the World you must go to Russia. Russians are friendly and open and each England supporter will be aorund a home atmosphere. England are not the favourites, but in my opinion they are one of maybe six or seven teams who could win.

Today is important from Russia, it depends who we draw, I think we could get through the group. We had the best summer Olympic games in 1980 and now we will host the best competition in the World.

We have four players who have the possibility to play in the World Cup

11:32

'If I didn't believe, I wouldn't be sat here'

Before I thought home matches were easier than away matches but now I understand each match is difficult. I think really after Sheff United, we played very good matches but the problem is results, but when you don’t have results it is not about the quality of the game.

The team will lose confidence and each defeat makes it more difficult. I hope we can change the situation, if I’m not sure I can do it, I wouldn’t be sitting here.

11:30

Slutsky on his future

Yes, we conceded with setpieces but they were not direct, they had deflections and you can’t work with that. It’s hard to predict. But we continue our work and we must keep fighting.

I spoke with the owner about the situation with the team, about future and transfer window it was normal, I didn’t hear anything new.

My feeling is more important than what the owner thinks about my job, if I don’t have the energy and motivation I cannot carry on. I manage myself.

Everything is possible but I know myself, it is not the first difficult situation in my career but if my body says stop, I will. Last week I was very close to this feeling but I thought I will continue to work, I bring the players here and now I feel a personal responsibility to everyone here. On Saturday I died, but on Monday I was a little bit better.

11:26

Slutsky is here

For me the question is not about speculation, it is another situation because I had a very difficult feeling and it was a knock out hit last week. For me it was better to lose 5-0, when you control the game for 65 minutes and lose about two set pieces it is difficult to understand.

Last Monday I watched the Brentford and when they concede two goals In understood again everything is possible in this league.

11:18

That's it from the Australian

He states the players are behind the manager, believing the players have to up their game on the field.

11:15

'The manager has the full backing of the players'

The manager has the full backing of the players, it’s not tactical, it’s about mistakes on the pitch so we’re just looking at ourselves and trying hard to change it.

11:12

Irvine on squad depth and City's last four games.

I just need to be consistent, I have struggled to nail down a starting spot, international travel and a strong squad has played a part in that, but my performance level needs to stay at a certain point. But I need to focus on getting results at Hull and then think about the World Cup.

The strength in depth here means it has been stop start.

Sheffield Wednesday are always dangerous and it’s a tough place to go to get a result, we will have to be at our best. I think our performances have been consistently better in the last four weeks, but we haven’t got the results. There’s a lot of positives signs but the general feeling around the dressing room isn’t that things are disjointed. It’s just fine margins.

11:09

Irvine on football in Australia

I think moving into Asia has made a massive difference, that process in Oceania made it harder to qualify and now we are playing better teams and we’re improving all the time.

Since the introduction of the A League football has been propelled into the mainstream. But the game is growing all the time in Australia and that’s why it is important we qualified.

11:06

Irvine on this weekend and the World Cup

If we can get a win this weekend it will be a platform to move us forward.

I’m very excited to see who we get this afternoon. It’ll start to feel real when they name the squad and I’m in it. We’ve cemented ourselves as a regulars at the World Cup now and even at the last one we nearly caused a few upsets. I’d like to play England, it was amazing experience last time we met but I’m just excited.

Ola, Kamil and Seb are also hopefully going to be there, so hopefully we draw each other.

11:04

Jackson Irvine is here

It’s not been a difficult week, we’re just focused on getting it right. It’s just about learning from our mistakes and getting the win. It’s important to acknowledge our position at the moment because it’s not good enough but at the same time we’re looking up.

It’s a mentality thing, it’s not anything tactical it’s just sheer will and desire and the players, myself included, have to take more responsibility.

10:59

While we're waiting for the press conference to start get your teeth into this

Josh Clackstone, left, and Dan Batty, right, are among the youngsters aiming to impress Hull City head coach Leonid Slutsky (Image: Hull City)

10:50

Good morning from the University of Hull training ground

Jackson Irvine will be joining Leonid Slutsky this morning in facing the media.

10:09

One of City's best Premier League wins?

08:42

What Slutsky must do to save his job

A late collapse at the KCOM Stadium had the feel of a last stand and even Slutsky appeared doubtful he would still have the reins by the time the Tigers headed to Hillsborough following a run of two wins in 14 games.

City’s owners Assem and Ehab Allam have eventually resisted change to give Slutsky at least one more chance, but the Russian is still has a huge challenge if he is to find job security in the coming weeks. Philip Buckingham assesses what Slutsky has to alter to remain in charge of the Tigers through December and into 2018.

Get organised

Take away the 0-0 at Millwall 10 days ago, a clean-sheet that was dependent on Allan McGregor’s heroics, and Hull City have all too often been a rabble in the last month.

Fifteen goals have been conceded in the last six games and last weekend’s capitulation against Bristol City illustrated just how disorganised Leonid Slutsky’s side has become. Simple set-pieces have often been too much for a bedraggled defensive line and opponents have also found means of opening up the Tigers far too easily from open play.

Rarely have City ever been compact under Slutsky. An expansive style has helped them to score 32 goals, a tally only bettered by league leaders Wolves, but the 35 conceded suggests the Tigers have been far too open for their own good.

If that means a cautious approach at Hillsborough tomorrow, so be it. Without improving their shape off the ball, the defeats will keep on coming.

Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky (Image: PA)

08:37

Let us know who you would pick tomorrow

08:35

Here's how the two teams compare

08:33

Bowen won't slow down

Jarrod Bowen is determined not to take his foot off the gas as he aims to keep delivering the goals that drag Hull City away from danger in the Championship.

Bowen found the net for a 10th time this season in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at home to Bristol City, making him the quickest City player to reach double figures for 13 years.

The rookie’s magnificent form continues to shine a light during bleak times but satisfaction in his exploits has been tainted by the Tigers’ ongoing struggles.

Only twice – against Bolton and Birmingham – have Bowen’s goals contributed towards a victory for City and he will head to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow eager to make a difference.

Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen (Image: Focus)

08:28

The Under-23s were in action last night - Here's how they got on

Hull City U23's coach Jon Beale

08:20

Could this weekend be do or die for Slutsky?

The talking points ahead of Hull City's trip to Sheffield Wednesday

08:18

Good morning

It’s a cold and frosty day for a press conference, let’s hope Leonid Slutsky is his usual warm and welcoming self this morning.

The head coach will be facing the press today in order to preview Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday but all talk is likely to be about his future. We’ll have live updates of the press conference for you right here, in the live blog.